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Updated: August 17, 2024
Grasping his tremulous companion by the arm, Siebecker hurriedly drew him behind a clump of small chestnut trees. No sooner were they hidden than three masked men cautiously opened the gate and came on tip-toe into the garden. Waldmann, Peppino and Beppo had arrived and were ready to do their share of the nefarious work.
"That is my business, but it shan't damage this night's work. I will go with you to the house and do my part as well as you or Siebecker. You said not to waste an instant. What are you waiting for? Go on!" "Do you swear to stand by us to the last whatever happens?" "I swear it!" "I will trust you." "And you will have no reason to repent of your trust.
Mange was still watching Morcerf, but saw no sign that he had recognized in Bouche-de-Miel the man for whom he was seeking. This made him uneasy, for it was an indication that the reward his employer had promised him would not be earned. Presently Waldmann and Siebecker were called to another part of the room.
"I'm all right," replied the latter, doggedly, though there was a perceptible quiver in his voice as he spoke. "He has just had another fit of fear," said Siebecker, disdainfully. "I think we would do well to leave him with Peppino and Beppo to keep watch in the garden! It won't be safe to take him with us into the house, Waldmann!" The leader went up to Bouche-de-Miel and gave him a rough shake.
Two of the men were Italians, evidently the Peppino and Beppo referred to by the slatternly young woman at the counter in the outer room. Besides Waldmann there was another German. This was Siebecker.
Siebecker noticed his agitation and gave vent to a smothered curse. "Sacré nom d' un chien!" he muttered, between his teeth, "if you go on like that, old man, it would have been better had Waldmann let you off. You can't do this job with an unsteady hand. Brace up, brace up, Bouche-de-Miel! What's that?" There was a slight noise at the gate.
As he did so, Waldmann, Siebecker and Bouche-de-Miel, who immediately rushed forward, seized him and held him there with the strength of iron. Waldmann slipped a gag into his mouth and Siebecker bound him firmly to the chair with a stout cord he took from his pocket.
Then he addressed the slatternly young woman, who, with her paper still in one hand, was half-smiling, half-scowling at him. "Is Waldmann here?" he asked, with the air of a man who feels himself thoroughly at home. "Yes," answered the young woman, resuming her seat and her reading; "he is in the back room, playing piquet with Peppino, Beppo and Siebecker." "Good!" said the man. "I am in luck.
He very soon discovered that Waldmann, Siebecker, Bouche-de-Miel and two Italians had formed that party, and Bouche-de-Miel being the only Frenchman in the coterie he had no difficulty whatever in fixing upon him as the individual wanted.
Siebecker and Bouche-de-Miel silently emerged from their hiding-place and joined them. Waldmann glanced about him, evidently satisfied. "So far so good," said he, in an undertone. "We are all here on time. Do not let us waste an instant. Have you steadied your nerves with plenty of brandy, Bouche-de-Miel?"
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